Spectrum

Ian Mullins, 40, is a professional mountain biker based in Seattle. He started taking a drug in 2008 to ease pain after a bicycle accident. The drug, Tramadol, not only stopped his pain but improved his performance by allowing him to race through any physical discomfort. Soon, he was addicted. For seven years, he struggled with addiction to the painkiller. Eventually, it took over his life. He then needed the drug just to keep from being sick from withdrawal. When he couldn’t get Tramadol, he took other medications trying to get the same feeling and to keep the sickness at bay: hydromorphone, Percocet, Codeine syrup, fentanyl, and some forms of Benadryl. Most of the time, however, he found a street supply of prescription grade Tramadol to use. In 2015, Mullins bottomed out. His life was falling apart due to his addiction. At that point, he started his road to recovery which has not always been smooth. He has battled depression and other emotional and psychological issues entwined with drug addiction and